**Executive Summary**
This document is the response to Unstarred Question No. 135 in Lok Sabha, regarding the impact of revised pilot duty rules in India, scheduled to be answered on January 29, 2026. The response addresses whether the Government considered international aviation bodies' comments on the restrictiveness of the rules and the monitoring mechanisms in place. The document also outlines the government's plans for periodic review of fatigue risk management.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **FDTL Norms Formulation:**
* Revised pilot duty rules (FDTL norms) were formulated after studying and comparing norms of FAA, EASA, Transport Canada, and other nations.
* DGCA considered International Civil Aviation Organisation Standard and Recommended Practises & other International best practices.
* **Monitoring Mechanisms:**
* A monitoring mechanism to track flight cancellations, delays, and network planning has been instituted.
* All schedule operators are required to submit details to DGCA on a weekly basis.
* DGCA is conducting periodic reviews of FDTL and Fatigue Risk Management of all schedule operators.
* Quarterly fatigue reports are being submitted by all schedule operators and analyzed by DGCA.
* Review meetings are held quarterly under the chairmanship of DG (CA) to ascertain the effect of fatigue.
**Impact Analysis**
**Schedule Operators**
* *Impact:* Required to adhere to revised FDTL norms that may be more restrictive. Subject to monitoring of flight cancellations, delays, and network planning.
* *Action Required:* Submit details of flight cancellations, delays, and network planning to DGCA on a weekly basis. Submit quarterly fatigue reports to DGCA.
**DGCA**
* *Impact:* Responsible for monitoring the effects of the revised rules and analyzing fatigue reports.
* *Action Required:* Conduct periodic reviews of FDTL and Fatigue Risk Management of all schedule operators. Analyze quarterly fatigue reports and hold review meetings under the chairmanship of DG (CA) every quarter.
**Passengers**
* *Impact:* Aims to improve safety but might cause adjustments to flight schedules and potential delays.
* *Action Required:* No immediate action required from passengers.
Key Entities Referenced
Revised Pilot Duty Rules: New regulations concerning flight duty time limitations (FDTL) for pilots in India. Focus of the parliamentary question.
DGCA: Directorate General of Civil Aviation, responsible for formulating and reviewing the FDTL norms.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The ministry overseeing the aviation sector, including the formulation and implementation of pilot duty rules.
FDTL norms: Flight Duty Time Limitations, the set of regulations governing the working hours and rest periods of pilots, impacting their operational flexibility.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 135
th
(To be answered on the 29 January 2026)
IMPACT OF REVISED PILOT DUTY RULES
135. SHRI VE VAITHILINGAM
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government has taken into consideration comments by
international aviation bodies that India's revised pilot-duty rules may be more
restrictive than norms followed in other jurisdictions, potentially impacting airline
operational flexibility under the Government's safety driven regulatory approach;
(b) if so, the details of monitoring mechanisms instituted to track the effects of
these rules on flight cancellations, delays and network planning and the extent of
compliance reporting required from airlines under the direction of the Government;
and
(c) whether the Government proposes to conduct a periodic review of fatigue risk
management data and global best practices to ensure that safety standards remain
paramount while supporting airline operational efficiency under the Government's
balanced civil-aviation policy and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) to (c): The revised pilot duty rules were formulated after studying and comparing
FDTL norms of FAA, EASA, Transport Canada and other nations. Further, DGCA
has also taken into consideration International Civil Aviation Organisations
Standard and Recommended Practises & other International best practices to
formulate FDTL norms.A monitoring mechanism to track flight cancellations delays of network planning
has been instituted, wherein all schedule operators are required to submit details to
DGCA on a weekly basis.
DGCA has been conducting periodic review of FDTL and Fatigue Risk Management
of all schedule operators. Quarterly fatigue reports are being submitted by all
schedule operators and analysed by DGCA. A review meeting is also being held
under the chairmanship of DG (CA) every quarter to ascertain the effect of fatigue.
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